Nautilus Project

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Appendix C

Design Criteria and Monitoring
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Appendix C –Design Criteria and Monitoring             C‐3

Nautilus Project Area Design Criteria

Forest Service Manual and Handbook direction, Regional Watershed Conservation Practices (WCPs, Forest

Service Handbook 2509.25), Forest Plan standards and guidelines, South Dakota Best Management Practices and

other management requirements apply to the proposed activities. Management requirements such as

applicable Forest Plan standards are repeated here only if clarification is required. An ArcGIS shapefile

containing design criteria information is located in the Nautilus planning record.

Applies To: Measure

All Activities Brush Disposal:

 Disposal of slash piles created through timber harvest or fuel treatments

would be funded appropriately. Rehabilitation of pile sites would include

site preparation and seeding to return the sites to productivity and

control the spread of noxious weeds.

All Activities Heritage Resources:

 All culturally sensitive areas, Traditional Cultural Properties, graves,

potential graves and sites eligible or considered unevaluated to the

National Register of Historic Places should be avoided under proposed

activities with a 100‐foot buffer. Further mitigations if defined would be

identified in the project file for each property and would be required for

project implementation; any properties with mitigations not identified in

this EIS would need Heritage review and SHPO concurrence before

project implementation. Heritage site locations and specific mitigations

are outlined in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

compliance reports, on file at the Northern Hills Ranger District. Heritage

site locations are not identified in this EIS to protect sensitive site

information according to Section 304 of the National Historic

Preservation Act (1966, as amended) and Section 9 of the Archaeological

Resources Protection Act (1979).

 In the event that culturally sensitive areas, Traditional Cultural

Properties, graves, potential graves and sites eligible or considered

unevaluated to the National Register of Historic Places cannot be

avoided, or new heritage resources are found during implementation of

the project, all activity must stop and a member of the District Heritage

Staff must be notified to determine an appropriate course of action.

Appropriate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office,

Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and other applicable parties would

take place as directed by 36CFR800.

 Leaders of project activities described in this EIS will review the heritage

report and geospatial data for areas to protect and consult with District

Heritage Staff on specific mitigations. Project leaders should contact

District Heritage Staff for additional assistance in marking the sites for

protection on the ground.

All Activities Improvements:

 All Forest Service‐authorized improvements, such as fences and water

developments, would be shown as protected improvements on timber

sale area maps and protected during management activities.  

 Protect all documented NFS land boundary corners, posts, and bearing

trees.

 Avoid or protect utility infrastructure in the project area during project

implementation.

 Avoid or protect improvements under special use permit.

 Protect all mining corner posts and active mining claim developments.
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All Activities Meadows:

 White spruce will not be removed from wet meadows unless they are

considered a safety hazard.

 Surface disturbing activities (e.g., creation of skid trails, location of

landings, construction of temporary roads, etc.) will be avoided as much

as possible in meadows. If during implementation activities such as these

cannot be located outside of meadows, the district hydrologist, botanist,

and wildlife biologist will be contacted prior to implementation to

determine if special requirements are warranted to protect site integrity.

All Activities Noxious Weeds:

 Contracts and permits issued as part of this project would include

measures to limit spread of noxious weeds. Where proposed activities

would occur in areas infested with noxious weeds and considered to be

at high risk for spread, off‐road equipment associated with the activity

will be washed before leaving the site to prevent spread of weeds to

adjacent NFS and private lands. Known areas meeting these criteria will

be identified by District staff before commencement of any timber sale

contract associated with this project. Known weed infestations will be

displayed on the timber sale map.

 Where ground‐disturbing activities occur in areas infested with weeds,

weeds would be treated prior to project implementation, where feasible,

to reduce future spread and establishment of noxious weeds.

 Review of the area for noxious weed infestations will continue during

management activities. If new noxious weed infestations that could be

spread by management activities are found during implementation,

actions to minimize spread would be taken.

All Activities Public Safety:

 Appropriate signing or other cautionary measures would be implemented

in conjunction with all management activities to ensure public safety.

Implementation of these measures would be the responsibility of the

person initiating the action (e.g., logging contractor, prescribed fire

manager).

All Activities Range:

 Managers of vegetation treatment projects would consult with District

range managers to ensure alteration of natural barriers does not allow

livestock to circumvent fences.

All Activities Region 2 Sensitive Plant Species:

 Refer to the botany design criteria shapefile for identified plant habitat

and to the Biological Evaluation/Specialist Report for a verbal description

of plant habitat.

 Any suitable habitat for sensitive plant species outside of treatment units

would be avoided unless approved by a qualified botanist for entry.

 Any R2 Sensitive plant or animal species or plant or animal Species of

Local Concern located after contract or permit issuance will be

appropriately managed by active coordination between permittee,

contractor or purchaser, Forest Service line officer, project administrator,

and biologist and/or botanist.   

All Activities Recreation:

 Non‐motorized trails would be shown as protected improvements on

timber sale maps. Project administrators would ensure protection of

trails during project implementation.

All Activities Revegetation:

 Disturbed soil would be revegetated in a manner that optimizes plant
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establishment for that specific site. Revegetation may include topsoil

replacement, planting, seeding, fertilization, liming, and placement of

weed‐free mulch as necessary. Revegetation would be initiated as soon

as possible, generally not to exceed 6 months, after termination of

ground‐disturbing activities. All disturbed soils would be revegetated

with native species when available, using seed mixtures free of noxious

weeds. On areas needing the immediate establishment of vegetation,

non‐native, non‐aggressive annuals, non‐aggressive perennials, or sterile

perennials may be used until native perennials become established.

These species can be used to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and

prevent erosion. Only weed‐free mulch would be used.

All Activities Scenery:

 Activity slash would be reduced to natural levels within 300 feet of US

Highway 385, Nemo Road, or Forest Highway 26 (Vanocker Canyon Road)

unless not visible due to changes in topography. Slash would be treated

within 1 year of harvest completion.

All Activities Snags and Down Logs:

 Conifer snags over 20 inches dbh and those with cavities would be cut

only for safety reasons. Conifer snags under 20 inches dbh would be cut

only for safety reasons or when necessary for construction of roads, skid

trails, firelines, and log landings. – Standard 2301a

 Retain all hardwood snags except for those that are considered a safety

hazard.—Standard 2301b

 Retain at least 50 linear feet per acre of coarse woody debris with a

minimum diameter of 10 inches in ponderosa pine stands and 100 linear

feet per acre in white spruce stands to help retain moisture, trap soil

movement, provide microsites for establishment of forbs, grasses,

shrubs, and trees, and to provide habitat for wildlife.—Standard 2308a  

 In vegetation treatment units, 1 pile of woody material per 2 acres would

be left to create near‐ground structure for small mammal species, except

within 300 feet of buildings.—Standard 3117

 Any snag cut for safety reasons will be retained on site as coarse woody

debris.

All Activities Soil and Water:

 Some proposed activities would take place on soils identified as having a

potential for severe erosion. The following provisions, intended to

minimize the amount of exposed bare soil, off‐site transport, and soil

displacement, are to be implemented: (1) on slopes over 30 percent,

harvesting and skidding methods that minimize the amount of soil

displaced into piles or windrows would be used in order to leave soil

intact and in place; (2) prescribed burns on slopes over 30 percent would

be conducted when soil, duff, and large fuels are sufficiently moist to

retain duff as ground cover for prevention of erosion.

 Some proposed activities would take place on soils that are more

susceptible to compaction. The following provisions, intended to reduce

the risk of detrimental compaction would be implemented.  1) Heavy

equipment would avoid streams and swales (low‐lying or depressed and

often wet stretches of land) except to cross at designated points, build

crossings, or conduct restoration, unless protected by at least one foot of

packed snow or two inches of frozen soil.

 To reduce potential for compaction and/or rutting, the following

measure applies on all soil map units:  Heavy equipment will be operated

for land treatments only when soil moisture is below the plastic limit (Soil
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moisture exceeds the plastic limit if the soil can be rolled into 3‐mm

threads without breaking or crumbling), the soil is protected by at least

one foot of packed snow, or the top two inches of the soil are frozen

(WCPH management measure 13/design criteria (b)).

 No wheeled or tracked equipment will be allowed within 50 feet of

perennial or intermittent streams or springs.

 No wheeled or tracked equipment will be allowed within 100 feet of

wetlands.

All Activities Wildlife:

 Any newly discovered raptor nests, snail colonies, red‐bellied snake

hibernacula or bat roosts (i.e., snags/rock formations observed being

used by bats, or newly discovered mines and caves) would be evaluated

by a district wildlife biologist prior to implementation to determine if

special requirements are warranted to protect site integrity.  These

resources would be protected in accordance with Forest Plan Standards.

 To minimize disturbance to nesting goshawks a timing restriction will

apply from April 1 through August 15 within 1⁄2 mile of active nests by

minimizing human‐caused noise and disruption beyond that occurring at

the time of nest initiation. The following activities would not occur during

the timing restriction: fuel reduction activities, cutting, skidding, yarding,

decking, hauling, road construction and other activities that may disturb

nesting birds. Exceptions might be: hauling within 1⁄2 mile of active nest

sites during the nesting season if it is reasonable to assume that

goshawks in the area are habituated to this type of disturbance or

surveys indicate that goshawks are not nesting in the area (consult with a

district wildlife biologist to determine an appropriate course of action).

Specific site locations and GIS shapefile are documented in the project

file. – Standard 3111

 To minimize disturbance to nesting osprey a timing restriction will apply

from April 1 through August 31 within 1⁄4 mile of active nests by

minimizing human‐caused noise and disruption beyond that occurring at

the time of nest initiation. The following activities would not occur during

the timing restriction: fuel reduction activities, cutting, skidding, yarding,

decking, hauling, road construction and other activities that may disturb

nesting birds. Exceptions might be: hauling within 1⁄4 mile of active nest

sites during the nesting season if it is reasonable to assume that osprey in

the area are habituated to this type of disturbance or surveys indicate

that ospreys are not nesting in the area (consult with a district wildlife

biologist to determine an appropriate course of action). Specific site

location and GIS shapefile are documented in the project file. – Standard

3204

 Tree marking will not occur from April 1 through August 15 within 1/8

mile of active goshawk nests to assure that goshawks do not abandon

nests.  From April 1 through August 15, if crews are being aggressively

watched or attacked by goshawks during marking activities they will

immediately abandon all marking efforts within 1⁄2 mile of the active

goshawk nest.  

 Avoid creating barriers (e.g., new open roads) between red‐bellied snake

hibernacula and riparian areas or wetlands. There are currently no known

hibernacula in the planning area.  This design criterion will apply to any

newly discovered hibernacula.—Standard 3116

All Activities Travel Management:

 While any projects resulting from this analysis are taking place, all gates
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that would normally be closed will remain closed accept for

administrative purposes.  

Timber Harvest Aspen:

 Where hardwood enhancement sites are adjacent to commercial

treatment units, clear cut all conifers within one tree length

(approximately 75 feet) of aspen stand to maintain vegetative diversity

within the stand.   

 Conserve all live hardwoods (Standard 2301b) with wildlife cavities and

all snags (Standard 3124), except for those that are considered a safety

hazard.

 Cut and “hinge” all conifers within hardwood enhancement units to

remove encroaching ponderosa pine and spruce.  “Hinging” conifers is

intended to provide protection to aspen suckers and minimize impacts of

browsing. Cutting shall be in the form of “hinging” the pine

approximately 4 feet up from the ground.  A solid hinge will keep the tree

elevated, creating an aerial barrier to ungulates.  A series of pine should

be toppled over top of each other to form a “hedgerow” on the outside

of the clone to prevent native ungulates and livestock from crossing into

the clone. Conifer cut outside the clone could have the big tops and limbs

dragged into or thrown into the protected aspen clone to increase on‐site

material barriers.  Lop and scatter, or pile and burn, all conifers too small

to “hinge”.

 Whenever possible, skid trails (or other surface disturbing activities) will

be placed directly adjacent to aspen stands (but not birch stands) to

promote expansion of aspen clones which are likely to benefit from

openings and ground disturbance.

Timber Harvest Harvest:

 Existing pine regeneration would generally be protected in stands

proposed for overstory removal harvest. Provisions related to felling,

bucking, and whole tree yarding would be included in the timber sale

contract. Log length yarding is the preferred method of timber removal.

Skid trails within these stands would be approved by the sale

administrator before commencement of logging. Landing locations

would, where feasible, take advantage of existing openings or areas with

no regeneration.

 To increase the likelihood of successful conifer regeneration, stands

proposed for seed cuts would be logged in the summer or early fall

where feasible to maximize the site scarification provided by the skidding

operation, provided there are no concerns related to riparian areas,

noxious weeds, or sensitive plants. Cutting would be done in such a way

that areas would be restocked with trees within five years after harvest.

 Where stand variation dictates an alternative treatment to the majority

treatment, this variation shall be accommodated. For example, a quarter

acre pocket of aspen within a commercial thin stand of ponderosa pine

shall be cleared of conifers within and up to one tree length

(approximately 75 feet) from the edge of the pocket in an effort to

maintain vegetative diversity within stands.

Timber Harvest Road Restrictions:

 Timber sale units would be laid out to facilitate existing road restrictions

(for example, trees around gates and other barriers would be left uncut

to maintain obstructions and discourage driving around the gate or

barrier).

   
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Timber Harvest Scenery:

 Layout and marking of timber sale units would comply with Forest‐wide

marking guides in effect at the time of implementation.

 Where possible, treatments would be designed to reduce the chance of

wind damage to residual trees. This may include retaining higher density

of mature trees on exposed ridges, lee slopes, and other areas prone to

high winds and heavy snow accumulation.

 To reduce effects of continuously even tree spacing on wildlife and

scenery, commercial thin treatments would emphasize tree health and

crown size over spacing. Residual trees in overstory removal and seed cut

units would be variably spaced.

 Skyline logging corridors would be as narrow as possible to minimize

visual effects of any soil displacement.

 Where existing conditions allow, treatments in forested areas adjacent to

other ownership would blend into adjacent tree density conditions rather

than creating strong vegetation edges. A horizontal transition zone of

two chains (132 feet) is suggested to achieve this transition in tree

density.

 Within 300 feet of US Highway 385,  Nemo Road, Forest Highway 26

(Vanocker Canyon Road ) and the Centennial Trail the following design

criteria will be in place:

1. Skid trails will be utilized during dry or frozen conditions to

minimize soil disturbance, and will be re‐seeded with native

grasses.  These techniques have been effectively used to reduce

soil displacement and speed up the re‐vegetation process along

these skid trails, reducing highly visual evidence of skid trails.

2. Where possible along these routes, remaining vegetation should

be in a variety of sizes and spacing to maintain a more natural

appearance.  This technique has been very effective in

maintaining a natural appearance.  Locations where it was not

used resulted in a ‘tree‐farm’ appearance (all trees same height

and evenly spaced across the landscape).  

3. Rehabilitate log decks within 300 feet of travel corridors by

returning to original contours, scarifying to eliminate compaction

(as necessary), and planting with native grass seed.  

4. Slash will be cleaned up to natural levels within 300 feet of these

travel corridors.  This can be accomplished by slash clean up (e.g.

scattering and underburning, piling and burning, or chipping) after

logging.

5. Slash, once placed on the ground, needs to be treated in

accordance with Forest Plan guidelines 4112 and 5606.

Timber Harvest Range:

 All pasture gates would be identified on Timber Sale Area maps and kept

closed during the grazing season (June through October). Maintained

fences would be protected during logging operations.

 If log hauling or movement of heavy equipment related to the proposed

timber harvest causes damage to cattleguards, the timber purchaser

would be responsible for repair.

Timber Harvest Region 2 Sensitive Plant Species and SOLC:  

 Occurrences of Region 2 Sensitive Plants and Plant Species of Local

Concern would be avoided during all proposed timber harvest activities.
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Known areas are identified in the design criteria shapefile.

 Suitable plant habitat would be excluded from mechanical treatment

areas.  Known plant habitat is identified in the design criteria shapefile.  

 Any skid trails, temporary roads, landings, or other disturbances

associated with logging activities in plant habitat would be designated in

consultation with a qualified botanist. These areas are included in the

design criteria shapefile.

 Any plant habitat outside of treatment units would be avoided unless

approved by a qualified botanist for entry.  These areas are included in

the design criteria shapefile.

Timber Harvest Recreation:

 Snowmobile trails would be shown as improvements on timber sale area

maps and protected during harvest operations. An evaluation of the

potential for conflicts between logging and trail use would take place at

the time of timber sale appraisal and contract preparation. If conflicts

appear likely between use of the snowmobile trails and specific logging

units or haul routes, logging would be restricted between December 1

and March 31 unless a logical and desirable alternative snowmobile route

is identified. Only those units and/or roads in conflict would be restricted

so that logging operations could proceed in the remainder of the sale

area.

 Winter operations of timber sale units that necessitate skidding across a

snowmobile trail but do not otherwise affect the trail may be allowed.

Determination would be made on a case‐by‐case basis, with crossings

permitted only at locations approved by the sale administrator and with

proper cautionary signing installed by the timber contractor.

Timber Harvest Soil and Water:

 In stands where Lakoa, Rockoa or Citadel soils are present and slopes

exceed 30%, ensure that an overstory density of at least 80 BA remains

following timber harvest, unless more site specific Design Criteria is

established. If there is an urgent need (example: bark beetle mortality;

unable to create lower fuel loading mosaic around the site) to reduce BA

below this level, consult the district hydrologist for field verification of

the site to determine further potential of slope stability  impairment

associated with additional levels of BA reduction.

 In stands where slopes exceed 55%, ensure that a tree overstory

component with a basal area density of at least 80 BA remains following

timber harvest and post sale activities. If there is a need to reduce BA

below this level, consult the district hydrologist for field verification of

the site to determine further potential of slope stability impairment

associated with additional levels of BA reduction.  

 Skid trails: Place slash in a well‐distributed pattern across the skid trail

surface and install waterbars, where necessary.following harvest

activities.

 When logging in previously disturbed stands, use existing skid trails and

landings whenever possible.

 Avoid locating any temporary roads, skid trails, or log landings within 100

feet of perennial or intermittent streams, springs, or wetlands.

 Avoid conducting vegetation treatments that remove overstory trees

within 50 feet of perennial or intermittent streams, springs, or wetlands.

Timber Harvest Wildlife:

 No treatments will be conducted within 500 feet of adit portal or shaft

openings of mines or caves to maintain microclimate of bat hibernacula
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or nurseries, unless it is determined through bat surveys that the site is

not bat roost habitat.  Bat surveyors and bat survey protocols must be

pre‐approved by the district wildlife biologist and surveys must be

conducted prior to implementation. The 500 foot no treatment zone may

be reduced dependent upon survey results and topography and will be

determined by a district Wildlife Biologist. Known mine site locations are

documented in the project file.—Standard 3207

 Known snail sites with R2 Sensitive Species or Species of Local Concern

will be avoided (i.e., no vegetation treatments, no heavy equipment use,

and no skid trails, landings, temporary roads or any other activity that

may compact soils or alter ground cover, moisture regimes or litter

composition). Known site locations are documented in the project file.‐‐

Standard 3103

 Disturbance of newly discovered colonies of land snails would be avoided

until it is evaluated by a district wildlife biologist in order to determine if

R2 Sensitive Species or Species of Local Concern are present.  The district

wildlife biologist would determine appropriate buffer areas (no

treatment zones) around newly discovered colonies based on site‐specific

conditions. Avoidance zones or mitigation measures would be

determined on a case‐by‐case basis.

 In the event that a bald eagle is documented in a stand, the wildlife

biologist will be notified and harvest operations will be suspended until

the eagle has vacated the stand.‐‐Standard 3101d.

Timber Harvest Spruce Habitat:

 Commercial and non‐commercial treatments of ponderosa pine in spruce

dominated stands will not occur except within 200 feet of buildings or

where spruce is encroaching into hardwoods so long as other identified

design criteria does not apply in these areas.

Prescribed Fire Burn Plan:

 Prescribed burning would be implemented only under conditions defined

in a prescribed burn plan.

 In stands that have been designated as part of the suitable timber base,

at least 90 percent of the trees greater than 9 inches in diameter will be

retained. In other stands, at least 50 percent of the trees greater than 9

inches diameter will be retained.

 The District Silviculturist will assist with the preparation of or review the

final prescribed burn plan.

Prescribed Fire Improvements:

 Measures will be taken to protect utility lines and any other

improvements within the burn unit during prescribed burns.

Prescribed Fire Region 2 Sensitive Plant Species:

 Where possible, direct ignition would not occur in habitat suitable for

supporting sensitive plants.  These areas are included in the design

criteria shapefile.

 Control lines that disturb soil, i.e. hand lines or dozer lines, would not be

located in plant habitat, unless needed to ensure safety.  These areas are

included in the design criteria shapefile.

Prescribed Fire Soil and Water:

 Prescribed burns in some sites would take place all or partly on soils with

severe erosion hazard. These burns would take place only when burn

severity could be kept low.

 Small wetlands located in or immediately adjacent to any burn units
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would be excluded from areas to be burned and protected from

disturbance.

 Prescribed burn plans will include monitoring measures to evaluate the

breakdown of hydrophobic soils, where applicable, following burn

implementation.

Prescribed Fire Scenery:

 Where possible, prescribed burns adjacent to US Highway 385, Nemo

Road, and Forest Highway 26 (Vanocker Canyon Road) would be burned

so that overstory trees visible from the road show as little scorch as

possible.

Prescribed Fire Wildlife:  

 In any given year, conduct prescribed burns on no more than 60% of a

contiguous meadow (that is >20 acres in size) to minimize impacts of

prescribed fire on butterflies and ground nesting birds.  Timing restriction

would apply to meadows from May 15 to August 15, to minimize impacts

to ground nesting birds. Fall burns are preferred.—Standard 3125   

 Prescribed burns within 1⁄2 mile of historic goshawk nests would be

coordinated with district wildlife biologist. Timing restriction would apply

from April 1 through August 15 if the nests are active.

 All documented land snail colonies with R2 Sensitive Species or Species of

Local Concern that are in prescribed burn units would be protected by

burning when snails are hibernating (i.e., when average daytime

temperatures are <50 degree Fahrenheit) or else these colonies will be

avoided. Specific site locations are documented in the project file.—

Standard 3103

 No fire lines or direct ignition of fire will occur on known snail colonies

any time of the year. Specific site locations are documented in the

project file.

 During prescribed burning, protect existing guzzlers. Use whatever

technique the burn boss deems appropriate (e.g., foam, black lining,

wrapping, etc.), based on site conditions.  

 If Atlantis fritillary or regal fritillary butterflies occur in meadows that are

within burn units, redesign the project to conserve important habitat

components of known sightings (survey for butterflies as appropriate).  

No known occurrences of either species exist in proposed burn blocks.

Check with the district biologist prior to burning to determine if new

information indicates their presence.—Standard 3105   

 Prescribed burning in areas with caves or mines would be coordinated

with a district wildlife biologist. Impacts to bat hibernacula would be

avoided with the use of timing restrictions and/or establishing buffer

zones. Specific mitigations will be determined by a district Wildlife

Biologist and Fuels Specialist during burn plan development. Specific site

locations are documented in the project file. This design criterion will also

apply to any newly discovered hibernacula.—Standard 3102

Prescribed Fire Range:

 To avoid conflicts with grazing and to ensure that prescribed fire

mitigation is implemented, prescribed fire projects will be coordinated in

advance with the range management specialist.
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Prescribed Fire Recreation:

 Personnel from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks

will be notified prior to the initiation of prescribed burns if the burn unit

includes or is adjacent to a designated snowmobile trail so that trail

markers may be removed or protected.

 Generally, slash piles will be located away from designated snowmobile

or cross‐country ski trails where possible. Where that is not possible and

piles are located immediately adjacent to trails, piles will either not be

burned between December 1 and March 31 to prevent melting of the

snow on the trail, or specific mitigation will be instituted to prevent snow

melt on the trail.

Prescribed Fire Heritage:

 In the event that sites are within a prescribed burn boundary, both

prehistoric and historic sites would be avoided by both hand line and

dozer lines.  Sites with consumables such as wood would either be

wrapped with structure protection material, or have either a wet line or

hand line placed around the resource.

Transportation

System

Dust Control:

 Dust control, if necessary, may be done with water, magnesium chloride,

calcium chloride, or equivalent.

Transportation

System

Noxious Weeds:

 District staff responsible for the noxious weed program would, in

coordination with the project engineer, inspect gravel pits for noxious

weed infestation before transport and use of gravel and other material.

Infestations would be treated to prevent spread.

 District staff responsible for the noxious weed program would inspect

stockpiled gravel annually for weed infestation in coordination with the

project engineer.

Transportation

System

Revegetation:

 Timber sale roads would be seeded after construction but before timber

harvest if any part of the gap between construction and harvest would

occur between April and October. This may be accomplished under the

road contract. If necessary, seeding would again occur after use of the

road is complete. Seeding may be delayed until after completion of

harvest if the gap between construction and harvest would be of short

duration and hydrology, soils, engineering, and noxious weed specialists

determine after field review that a delay would be acceptable.

Transportation

System

Soil and Water:

 New road construction is to be designed to limit cut and fill slopes where

possible, particularly when located above steep slopes.

 Construction of landings, roads, and tractor and skid trails would be

avoided within 100 feet (or a distance equal to the mean height of

mature dominant late seral vegetation, whichever is more) of perennial

seeps, springs, and wetlands. If this is not possible, crossings would be

constructed and restored to prevent headcutting, gullying, erosion, and

sediment transport to ephemeral or perennial channels.

 Creation of large water collection points, such as road ditches or

excessively large water bars, would be avoided, particularly up‐gradient

of existing rotational site features, such as slumps and landslides. A

greater frequency of water bars than that identified as the maximum

spacing recommended in FSH 2509.25 for the Rocky Mountain Region is

to be used. FSH 2509.25 direction disclosed that the listed spacings were

maximum spacings and should be reduced if warranted by onsite factors,
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such as amount of road use, downslope stability, erosion, etc. Foresty

Best Management Practices for South Dakota (2003) identifies suggested

drainage feature spacings (page 12) that have narrower spacings

between drainage features as compared to FSH 2509.25. The 2009 Field

Audit Report ‐ Implementation Monitoring of SD Forestry Best

Management Practices further support the greater need for more

frequent spacing of water bars. The audit identified some areas with

insufficient numbers of water bars on native surface roads. Temporary

road cuts exceeding two feet would be avoided. If this is infeasible

because of steep slopes, temporary roads would be re‐contoured.

 Where feasible, existing haul roads would be reconstructed with rolling

grades instead of ditches and culverts.

 Water bars and sediment barriers would be placed 10 to 20 feet below

water bar outlets and culvert outlets on skid trails steeper than 15

percent.

 Engineering staff would consult with a forest hydrologist and fisheries

biologist on design of stream crossings. Fill slopes would be protected

with riprap, gabions, prompt seeding, or other measures approved by the

hydrologist, fisheries biologist, or soil scientist.  

 Placement of structures would comply with federal and state laws

regarding construction in and near waterways, including placement of fill

and measures to control sedimentation.

 Generally, do not locate any new system roads within 100 feet of streams

(perennial, intermittent or ephemeral), springs, or wetlands. If a stream

crossing is required, ensure that it is constructed to prevent headcutting,

gullying, erosion, and sediment transport to stream channels by

implementing Region 2 Watershed Conservation Practices.

Transportation

System

Travel Management:

 In general, all newly constructed roads would be closed following

construction until needed for timber sale or related activities and closed

again after use. The exception to this would be newly constructed roads

that are designated open for motorized travel under the Forest‐wide

Travel Management project (in progress). Roads needed for timber sale

or related activities but normally closed to motorized vehicles would also

be closed when not in use.  

 All newly constructed roads that are to be closed following use will be

closed with appropriate methods, which may include: locked gates, dirt

berms, boulders, downed trees, fences, or re‐contouring.  

 Where new roads are constructed through existing range allotment

fences to access timber sale units, temporary cattle guards will be

installed at the crossing point. Immediately following completion of the

timber sale and all related activities, the cattle guard would be removed

and the fence returned to its original condition. Cattle guards would not

be replaced with any form of gate.

 Retain access routes as needed for utility line construction,

reconstruction, and maintenance of existing right‐of‐way corridors.

 Avoid or protect utility infrastructure during construction and

decommissioning of roads.

Transportation

System

Region 2 Sensitive Plant Species:

 A botanist will work with the road engineer to determine the best

placement of the proposed new road construction that will potentially

cross plant habitat. These areas are included in the design criteria

shapefile.
Nautilus Project                                                                 Final Environmental Impact Statement

Appendix C –Design Criteria and Monitoring             C‐14

Applies To: Measure

Transportation

System

Wildlife:

 Maintenance of existing roads in areas that pass through known snail

colonies will be limited to the clearing limits (i.e., roads may be

maintained to standard).  If needed improvements or realignment of

those areas go beyond the existing clearing limits, review and input by

the district wildlife biologist would be required to ensure that snail

colonies would not be impacted.—Standard 3103  

 Avoid constructing new roads through snail colonies.  Where data

suggests an overlap between new roads and known snail colonies, a

wildlife biologist and the engineer will together determine if there are

any feasible alternate road locations.—Standard 3103

 The presence of snails in any area not previously identified will be

brought to the attention of the district wildlife biologist before

maintenance or construction continues.

Transportation

System

Heritage:

 Sites that currently have a native surface road running through them will

have site specific mitigations detailed in the Heritage Specialist Report

following a review by District Heritage Staff to determine if further

consultation by the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office, and

appropriate Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and other applicable

parties is necessary as directed by Section 106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act 1966 (as amended).

Monitoring for All Action Alternatives

The Northern Hills Ranger District would monitor implementation of the selected alternative.  

The timber sale administrator or other contract administrators would complete some of the project

implementation monitoring. Other resource specialists would be involved in monitoring of specific mitigation

measures relating to their particular resource area. Specific monitoring requirements are listed below.

 Prescribed fire managers would establish photo points in prescribed burn units to compare pre‐ and post‐

treatment conditions and document fire behavior during implementation.

 Fuels staff would evaluate effectiveness of fuel treatments in reducing fuel loading.

 Fire managers would evaluate burned areas to establish a timeline for maintenance burning.  

 Project managers would monitor revegetation of disturbed and burned areas to determine need for

additional measures and noxious weed control.

 Engineering and hydrology/soils specialists would monitor effectiveness of erosion control measures

(seeding, water bars, etc.) one and three years following installation.  

 Hydrology/soils staff would monitor soil compaction at a sample of timber sale landings and harvest units.

 Timber sale administrators and hydrology/soils specialists would monitor application and effectiveness of

Best Management Practices.

 The district planning team would monitor timber sale layout to evaluate project implementation and

assumptions used in the planning process.  The district planning team would monitor timber sale

implementation following sale closure.

 Hydrology staff will evaluate road‐stream crossings after three years to assess revegetation.  If revegetation

has not been established, mitigation measures will be identified and the effectiveness of those measures

monitored for the next two years to ensure revegetation occurs.